On 15 December 1998 the Council will take a key decision for the revitalisation of Rugby’s own centre. It will decide on the making of a compulsory purchase order of land in the Chapel Street area of the town. The Council and its development partner, Henry Boot, are aiming to secure additional shopping facilities for Rugby which will improve the quality of retailing in Rugby and the town centre environment. This follows the Council’s initiative in delivering the town’s first art gallery and museum which is now being built on the adjoining site.

The Council considers it must make the Order to ensure that a quality scheme can be delivered at the earliest possible time. Its strong preference is still, however, to acquire the land by agreement. Henry Boot has made realistic offers to all land owners and remains ready to negotiate. In particular it has made the Coventry & East Mercia Co-operative Society a generous offer providing a 30,000 sq ft store in the new scheme.

A Marks & Spencer representative stated the Company fully supports the Council’s desire to progress the Henry Boot retail scheme, which will revitalise Rugby Town Centre, and want to open a new larger store as soon as possible, in order to offer its customers a much wider range of merchandise than currently on offer in the existing store.

Roger Brady, Director of Henry Boot Developments Limited, said that his company remains fully committed to bringing this exciting scheme to fruition and that his development team is geared up to commence work on site as soon as possible.

The Leaders of all the Council’s Political groups remain united in backing this major initiative. Councillor Bryan Levy, Leader of the Council said

"The Council wants to see progress as soon as possible on this redevelopment. The making of the Compulsory Purchase Order is a necessary step in this process. I would urge the Co-operative Society to consider their position very carefully as their apparent stance can only delay the revitalisation of the town centre which the people of Rugby both want and deserve."